Staff
Melissa Patton, MA, HS-BCP
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Founder
Melissa Patton is the founder of Purpose Community Development Foundation. Melissa has a passion for helping people understand their true purpose and potential in life. She has worked with youth in some capacity her entire life alongside her husband Stanley. She is wife of Pastor Stanley Patton and mother of Micah.
Education:
- BA in English from Drake University
- MA from Concordia University in Community Counseling.
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Continuing Education Units (CEU's) accumulated in early childhood
- CEU's towards professional development in Human Services and administration
- Year Long Early Childhood Education Training
Professional Memberships:
- ISACA: Iowa School Age Care Alliance
- CACFP: Child and Adult Care Food Program
- NOHS: National Organization of Human Services
Professional Experience:
Melissa is currently the Assistant Department Chair at Kaplan University. At Kaplan, she mentors and monitors faculty in the Human Services Department. Melissa has taught psychology to college students at Des Moines Area Community College. Melissa's professional experience has consisted of several teaching engagements, a position as a family and marriage therapist, high school counselor and she has held corporate positions in human resources.
Melissa's Favorites:
- My family! I have a loving and caring husband his name is Stanley. We have one son, Micah, who hangs out in Toddler Town at Purpose Kids Academy.
- My church family. I attend Daybreak Family Worship Center in Des Moines.
- Traveling - we enjoy vacationing in the Caribbean
Gloria Sears
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Director, Purpose Kids Academy
gloria@purposekids.com
Gloria Sears has spent a lifetime serving her community as a champion for those who are less fortunate and reaching out to those who need encouragement to face the challenges that life offers. She currently fulfills her passion of working in the Drake neighborhood at Purpose Kids Academy, as the Assistant Director. It is at PKA that she recruits and retains families, supervises our staff and is the initial point of contact for DHS and the CACFP program.
Education:
Gloria is currently working on completing her degree in Organizational Management. She is certified in CPR and first aid and has completed CEU's in food and nutrition for daycare centers.
Professional Experience:
- 27 years of operations, human resource, recruiting, facility and staff management
- 4 years supervising a privately run pre-school
- 10 years as an instructor teaching resume writing, interviewing skills and professional development
Experience With Children:
- 23 years of being a parent to her own children
- 30 years of teaching various ages of children in a Sunday School, bible school and Vacation Bible School setting
- 5 years as a Youth Group Director for high school students
- 10 years as Director of Music directing children, youth, adult and bell choirs
- Former Director of Children's Ministry at Daybreak Family Worship Center
- 10 years developing curriculum for children's ministries
Favorites:
- My children! I love dedicated family time with my daughter, Courtney, my son-in-law, Ben, my son, Derek and my son, Schuyler
- My church, Daybreak Family Worship Center
- Writing: music, curriculum, short stories and essays
- Quiet vacations in remote locations
- The kids at PKA. NOTHING beats their hugs and kisses!!!!
Cory Jenkins (aka Coach Jenkins)
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Director, The Impact Zone
cory@impactdsm.com
Cory's basketball career began in Rock Island, IL where he played center for Rock Island High School respectively. Heavily recruited by University of Northern Iowa, he packed his bags and road tripped to Cedar Falls. His four years at UNI as a stand out center earned him a professional career playing basketball overseas. Cory has had the opportunity to play for several basketball teams including; China, Norway, Finland, Germany, Romania and Sweden.
Coach Jenkins not only brings professional basketball experience to The Impact Zone, but a true passion to impact kids in the city of Des Moines. He's had several years of experience running athletic camps and coaching AAU. Cory also teaches youth at his local church, Daybreak Family Worship Center.
When he's not on the court, he loves spending time with his beautiful wife Erin, his son, Joshua and daughter, Amani.
